THE Duchess of Sussex yesterday marked a landmark day as a working member of the Royal Family by taking on a series of new roles.

She marked becoming patron of Smart Works, an innovative charity that helps coach long-term unemployed women for a return to work and gives them high-quality interview clothes with a visit to its HQ. At the same time it was confirmed she is taking over from the Queen as patron of the National Theatre. She also became patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and of the animal welfare group Mayhew.

"The last time I was here I suggested a purse to someone. It was one that I donated and she didn't like it. And I was like 'Oh OK'," she said.

Meghan picked out accessories for Patsy Wardally, 56, a mother-of-three from East London who gave up work more than a decade ago to look after her autistic daughter, but was helped back into employment at Menzies at Gatwick Airport by Smart Works.

The Duchess suggested a Hobbs cape, pearl earrings, a bracelet and handbag.

Asked how she felt about her new look, Mrs Wardally said: "More confi-dent, more beautiful. I looked in the mirror and I know it's me, but the difference in my esteem and everything has just shot through the roof."

Lady Juliet Hughes-Hallett, cofounder of Smart Works, said of Meghan; "She's a natural coach. There is a real empathy about her."

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Meghan Markle is due to give birth to her first child in the spring (Image: John Phillips/BFC/Getty Images)

FOUR NEW PATRON ROLES FOR THE BUSY DUCHESS

SMART WORKS

PRIVATE visits several times last year helped the Duchess of Sussex get to know Smart Works, a UK charity set up in 2013 which provides training for unemployed women - and quality outfits to wear at job interviews.

It has 300 volunteers in London and other bases in Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Reading.

Women are referred from organisations such as JobCentres and 60 per cent go on to find work. Half are from an ethnic minority.

NATIONAL THEATRE

ACTRESS Meghan will feel at home as patron of the National Theatre, a role the Queen has performed for 45 years.

Officially the Royal National Theatre, it has avoided using the royal prefix. The NT's mission is to make world class theatre that is entertaining, challenging, and inspiring... and along the way it has created a number of smash hits like War Horse.

Performances at its home on London's South Bank in 2017/18 were 91 per cent full.

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ESTABLISHED in 1913, the Association of Commonwealth Universities is the world's oldest international university network, with more than 500 member institutions in over 50 countries.

As a graduate of Northwestern University in Illinois, Meghan last month attended an ACU event at King's College London to discuss the role of higher education in tackling issues such as human trafficking, modern slavery, climate change and peace and reconciliation.

MAYHEW ANIMAL WELFARE

SET up in 1886, Mayhew is a Londonbased organisation that works with homeless charities across London to ensure people and their dogs can be kept together. It runs a pet refuge programme for the pets of people in crisis for short periods.

It is also active in improving animal welfare in Afghanistan, Georgia, Russia and India. An animal-lover who owns two dogs, Meghan has previously supported animal rescue centres in Los Angeles.